Itinerary: Kyoto On A Budget 2 Days Trip

by Lily
Jun 09, 01:57
View all of her plans

It is a widespread misconception that Japan is an expensive place to travel. But if you have a clearly itinerary, you can travel to Japan with a limited budget and still enjoy its beauty!

Duration 2.0 days
Estimated cost 112.80 USD
Total travel distance 212.0 km
Number of places 9 places
Intensity Moderate
Personal interests Temple Castle Historic Landmark Nature Outdoor Streets
Rating

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DAY 1 - ITINERARY 5 places

11:00

Kyoto station Detail Map

Kyoto station

The Kyoto Station (京都駅, Kyōto-eki) building was constructed on the 1200th anniversary of the capital's foundation in Kyoto. It was opened to the public in 1997

From Osaka Station, ride the JR Line to Kyoto station.
Plenty of choice, from fast food to a real Japanese cuisine, shopping for cosmetic medicine Japanese goodies or just looking.
For something to bring home, you can probably find it here, there's a tourist information center, to pick up information or to ask question, many staff on hand to help...
If you don't speak Japanese, suggest you have the name of place in Japanese, show it to someone, they would point you the right direction, people are helpful here.

Take a bus/train

1.40 USD

35 mins

11.56 km

12:45

Bamboo Street Detail Map

4 Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8394, Japan

The Bamboo Forest in Sagano is located to the northwest in Kyoto Basin, covering an area of 16 square kilometers. It's one of the most beautiful natural environment in entire Japan

Upon exiting Kyoto train station card stamping area, turn left, then you will see the Sagano station there. Take the Sagano Line and alight in Arashiyama station.
It's breathtaking to be amongst the bamboo forest and have bamboo just surround you.
You can also hire kimano which is sooo beautiful and take photos for memories.
Make sure to wear comfy shoes for walking. There's also cafe and food shop to visit after your walk.

Walk

0.00 USD

15 mins

1.19 km

14:15

Tenryuji Temple Detail Map

Japan 〒616-8385 京都府京都市右京区嵯峨天龍寺芒ノ馬場町６８ 5.00 USD

Tenryuji (天龍寺, Tenryūji) is the most important temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. It was ranked first among the city's five great Zen temples, and is now registered as a world heritage site. Tenryuji is the head temple of its own school within the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism.

You will find the Tenryuji Temple this along the Bamboo Groves.
The Tenryuji Temple is an extremely beautiful and peaceful place, you can sit for a while and enjoy the breathtaking views of the gardens.
There are also a few different paths that you can walk along as well.
You have to take out your shoes in order to go into the temple area.

Take a bus/train

6.00 USD

1 hour 10 mins

57.73 km

17:00

Umeda Sky Building Detail Map

1 Chome-1-1 Ōyodonaka, Kita-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 531-0076, Japan, Kyoto 7.50 USD

The Umeda Sky Building is the nineteenth-tallest building in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, and one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.

From Kyoto Station, take JR Tokaido-Sanyo Line to Osaka Station. The Umeda Sky Building is a 10-15 minute walk from Osaka station.
You can enjoy 360-degree awesome panoramic view from 173 meters on the floating garden.
The night time view is spectacular, so try to get there around sunset and watch the city come alive.
The building is designed to be incredible modern, especially with the circle ring that almost looks like it's on fire at night.
If you take a photo with both buildings on the side, it looks like three circles linked together.

Take a bus/train

1.20 USD

15 mins

9.09 km

19:30

Hotel Chuo Oasis Osaka Detail Map

1 Chome-9-15 Taishi, Nishinari-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 557-0002, Japan, Kyoto 33.00 USD

Hotel Chuo Oasis is a business hotel in Shin Imamiya, Osaka. Hotel Chuo Oasis is the ideal point of departure for your excursions in Osaka.

Walk to Nakatsu Station and take Midosuji Line to Dobutsuen-Mae Station. The hotel is just a short walk from this station.

Comments

DAY 2 - ITINERARY 5 places

08:00

Hotel Chuo Oasis Osaka Detail Map

1 Chome-9-15 Taishi, Nishinari-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 557-0002, Japan, Kyoto 33.00 USD

Hotel Chuo Oasis is a business hotel in Shin Imamiya, Osaka. Hotel Chuo Oasis is the ideal point of departure for your excursions in Osaka.

Take a bus/train

6.50 USD

1 hour 15 mins

62.67 km

10:00

Kinkaku-ji Temple Detail Map

Kinkaku-ji, 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 603-8361, Japan 4.00 USD

Kinkaku-ji Temple, officially named Rokuon-ji , is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. The garden complex is an excellent example of Muromachi period garden design.

From Osaka Station, take the JR Line to Kyoto. Alight in Kyoto Station, then take the Kyoto City Tour Bus 101 or 205.
Called the "Golden Pavilion" in English, you might want to read about it in English before you visit so you know what you are seeing.
The temple is very small and you are not allowed enter it or get very close to it.
You will have to fight for a spot along the railing of the pond to get a picture.
Go on a calm sunny day and capture incredible of the temple and it's reflection on the lake.
After walking by the Temple you will be herded along a narrow path uphill so that you may walk by the numerous stores hawking ice cream and sake with gold flakes.
This is not a free temple but is definitely worth the money.

Take a bus/train

0.60 USD

10 mins

3.79 km

12:15

Kyoto Botanical Garden Detail Map

Japan, 〒606-0823 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, 左京区下鴨半木町 2.00 USD

The Kyoto Botanical Gardens was founded in 1924, Kyoto Botanical Gardens is the oldest and most comprehensive public botanical garden in Japan.

Hop on the city tour bus and stop at Kyoto Botanical Garden.
The admission fee to the main gardens is very inexpensive but you will need to pay extra to visit some of the other pavilions inside.
It's not huge, so a half day is comfortable for a visit with lot's of shady places to sit on a summer day.
There are enough flowers for photographic enthusiasts to spend the whole day.

Take a bus/train

6.10 USD

1 hour 15 mins

58.64 km

15:30

Osaka Castle Detail Map

1-1 Ōsakajō, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 540-0002, Japan, Kyoto 5.60 USD

Osaka Castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks and it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period.

Mke you way to Kyoto station and take JR Tokaido-Sanyo Line to Osaka Station. Then transfer to JR Osaka Loop Line to Osakajokoen Station. From there, walk to Osaka Castle.
Admissions fee to the Castle Tower cost JPY 600. However, if you have purchase Osaka Amazing Pass you will enjoy free entrance.
Queues to go in the castle are long but move along quickly, there will be another queue once your inside, that is for the lift to go to the top, if you want to you can skip waiting and use the stairs with no queue.
The top of the castle you can go on the balcony for nice views and thats probably the only good point of going inside.
Avoid eating from the food stalls on the way and outside the moat, they look and smell nice but taste bland.

Take a bus/train

0.90 USD

15 mins

6.88 km

17:15

Nipponbashi Denden Town Detail Map

Nipponbashi Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 556-0005 Japan, Kyoto

Nipponbashi, known colloquially as "Den-Den Town", is known for its many shops which specialize in furniture, tools, and "otaku" interests such as electronics, animation, manga, and collectibles.

From the castle, make your way to Tanimachiyonchome Station then take Tanimachi Line to Shitennōji-mae Yūhigaoka Station. From here, walk to Nipponbashi.
Every cool "geek" thing you can think of can be found in this area.
You'll be tempted to fork out money immediately when you spot something you want.
Unless you're positive you're getting a good deal, make a note where you see it, then do a little price compare at other shops.
Everything appears to close at 8pm, so don't start your shopping too late.